Manchester City complete Ayyoub Bouaddi move from Lille

Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Ayyoub Bouaddi, completing the arrival of one of the most highly rated young midfielders in the game. The 18-year-old joins from OSC Lille on a contract running until 2031, with City moving decisively for a player who had already drawn widespread attention on the international stage.

City move for a rising midfield talent

Bouaddi’s reputation surged during the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, where his performances for Morocco made a significant impression. His display against Brazil in the group stage was highlighted as a key moment in his rise, attracting the attention of scouts from Europe’s biggest clubs.

City had been tracking him for some time, and that interest intensified after Rodri’s departure to Barcelona. In that context, Bouaddi’s arrival had increasingly felt like a matter of when rather than if, and the club made the deal official on Wednesday through its social media channels.

On the club’s website, City described Bouaddi as one of the most promising young players in world football and praised him as an elegant midfielder with a strong all-round game.

Contract details and club reaction

City confirmed that Bouaddi has signed until 2031 and will wear the No 32 shirt. Sporting director Hugo Viana said the club had followed the teenager closely and grew more convinced throughout the process that he is a major talent capable of succeeding at the Etihad.

The transfer fee has not been officially disclosed by the club. However, according to Sky Sports, the deal is worth £81.3m plus £4.3m in bonuses, taking the overall package to a figure of just over €100m.

• Bouaddi has signed for Manchester City until 2031
• He will wear the No 32 shirt
• He joins from French club OSC Lille
• He has made 96 appearances for Lille’s first team
• He has won eight senior caps for Morocco

Bouaddi calls City move a dream

Speaking to the club’s media after the announcement, Bouaddi described Manchester City as the best club in the world and said the move represented a dream come true. He also stressed that, despite his rapid progress, he still has plenty of room to improve.

That self-awareness may be one of the reasons City believe they are signing not only a player for the present, but one with the potential to develop even further in an elite environment. At 18, Bouaddi arrives with a substantial body of senior experience already behind him, having played 96 times for Lille after spending the last five years at the French club.

From France youth teams to Morocco senior level

Bouaddi’s international pathway has also underlined his profile. Born in France, he previously represented French youth sides before stepping up to senior football with Morocco, for whom he has already made eight appearances.

For City, the signing is both a statement of intent and a major investment in a player widely viewed as one of the game’s outstanding young midfield prospects. The fee being reported only adds to the scale of that belief, but the club’s messaging has focused just as strongly on Bouaddi’s long-term potential and the expectation that he can grow into a central figure in their midfield.